New Maritime Archaeological Discoveries from SS Indus Ship wreck (1885) in Sri Lanka
Dublin Core
Title
New Maritime Archaeological Discoveries from SS Indus Ship wreck (1885) in Sri Lanka
Description
The Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of the Central Cultural Fund gathered historical evidences on the SS Indus through archival research and a site survey to identify the shipwreck in 2013 and 2014.
The MAU identified an iron wreck close to the coast of Mullaitivu and tentatively identified it as the SS Indus which sank in 1885 with the valuable carved stone plaques of Baharhut Stupa, India (3rd century BC). Alexander Cunningham, the former Archaeological Commissioner of British India [appointed in 1861] intended to send these plaques to be displayed in the London Museum. According to historical records, they salvaged some of the cargo but there is no record on the fate of the stone plaques.
The MAU identified an iron wreck about 5km from the Mullativu lighthouse (now in ruins) in 2013. Fishermen and divers helped locate the wreck. According to historical records and nautical charts, the location of this wreck seemed to be the place here the Indus sank. The MAU explored and recorded the site by using photographs, sketches and GPS plotting. The team completed an initial survey but did not find any stone plaques. However, in 2014 and 2017, the MAU excavated the site and identified evidence that proved the wreck is the SS Indus. A drawing of the site and excavated of three test pits were completed in the process. The team unearthed several artifacts but these could not prove the identity of the ship. The MAU is continuing excavations in the site at the moment (Until November 2019) and hope to discuss about the new evidences found from entire research with this paper.
The MAU identified an iron wreck close to the coast of Mullaitivu and tentatively identified it as the SS Indus which sank in 1885 with the valuable carved stone plaques of Baharhut Stupa, India (3rd century BC). Alexander Cunningham, the former Archaeological Commissioner of British India [appointed in 1861] intended to send these plaques to be displayed in the London Museum. According to historical records, they salvaged some of the cargo but there is no record on the fate of the stone plaques.
The MAU identified an iron wreck about 5km from the Mullativu lighthouse (now in ruins) in 2013. Fishermen and divers helped locate the wreck. According to historical records and nautical charts, the location of this wreck seemed to be the place here the Indus sank. The MAU explored and recorded the site by using photographs, sketches and GPS plotting. The team completed an initial survey but did not find any stone plaques. However, in 2014 and 2017, the MAU excavated the site and identified evidence that proved the wreck is the SS Indus. A drawing of the site and excavated of three test pits were completed in the process. The team unearthed several artifacts but these could not prove the identity of the ship. The MAU is continuing excavations in the site at the moment (Until November 2019) and hope to discuss about the new evidences found from entire research with this paper.
Creator
Wijamunige Chanraratne
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
November 2021
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Chanraratne, Wijamunige, and Mahinda Karunarathna. 2021. “New Maritime Archaeological Discoveries from SS
Indus Ship wreck (1885) in Sri Lanka.” Edited by Brian Fahy, Hans Van Tilburg, Bill Jeffery, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Riley
Smith. In Proceedings of Fourth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Keelung,Taiwan,
and Virtual, November 1-5, 2021. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology URL:
https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/exhibits/show/apconf-muchproceedings/item/692
Indus Ship wreck (1885) in Sri Lanka.” Edited by Brian Fahy, Hans Van Tilburg, Bill Jeffery, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Riley
Smith. In Proceedings of Fourth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Keelung,Taiwan,
and Virtual, November 1-5, 2021. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology URL:
https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/exhibits/show/apconf-muchproceedings/item/692
Rights Holder
Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage
Files
Citation
Wijamunige Chanraratne, “New Maritime Archaeological Discoveries from SS Indus Ship wreck (1885) in Sri Lanka,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/692.